KMTT - the Torah Podcast

Purim | An Halakhic Overview by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, shiur given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Zakhor | What are We Supposed to Remember, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The commandment to "remember that which Amalek did to you" is the focal point of the reading of "Parashat Zakhor" (Deut. 25:17-19) which is read on the Shabbat before Purim. The oddity of reading a passage which tells you that you must remember it - as opposed to reading the actual story of their attack (Ex. 17:8-16) is odd; odder yet is the self-defeating command to "wipe out the memory of Amalek" while concomitantly "Remember...do not forget". How can we wipe out a memory and then make sure to remember it? We explore what it is we are commanded to remember by using the Mitzvah of Retelling the story of Exodus, which seems to be the paradigm for the celebration of Purim. Along the way, several surprising observations help solve our puzzle. Source sheet >>

Kibud Av V'Eim and Personal Autonomy: When Parents and Children Disagree About Important Life Decisions, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Torah's Approach to Beauty #2 - Modern Commentators - "Seeing" Our Life Mission - An Amazing Insight from R. Moshe Feinstein #3 - Midrash - Betzalel's Wisdom - Practical and Principled #4 - Sparks of Mussar - Do We Really Miss the Mikdash? #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Shabbos Invitations for non-Religious Guests #6 - Can There Be "Too Much of a Good Thing" in Avodas Hashem? A Remarkable Teaching from the Sefas Emes #7 - Contemporary Commentators - Why Did they Suspect Moshe of Stealing? A Powerful Insight from the Oznayim L'Torah

Pekudei | These are the Names - Siyyum on Sefer Shemot, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The conventions we use for naming the books of Humash - as well as the weekly readings - have little or nothing to do with the overall theme of the book (or "Parasha"); they are simply the first significant word in that text. Hazal had other names for the Humashim - e.g. תורת כהנים and משנה תורה. Nonetheless, we may be able to find a subcurrent of the theme of "the names of Bnei Yisrael" that ties together the opening passage with the concluding section and informs the overall theme of חומש שמות. This understanding may also grant additional meaning to the conventional cheer we give when concluding a חומש, taken from יואב's words - חזק ונתחזק! Source sheet >>

Vayakhel | A Defiant Act of Contrition, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The unusually lengthy description of the construction of the Mishkan, which occupies the last 6 chapters of Shemot, has been the subject of inquiry for millenia. By looking at the intensity and zealousness with which Am Yisrael responded to Mosheh's directive to donate and labor for this magnificent Divine abode, we take a view from a different perspective at the seemingly redundant details of the structure and appurtenances of the Mishkan, against the larger threat of God's withholding His immanent presence from among the people; highlighting Moshe Rabbenu's initiative in repairing the relationship between his flock and his Master. Source sheet >>

Kibud Av V'em: What, Why, and How, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Ki Tisa | The Luchot of...Testimony? Covenant? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The most vital component of the Mishkan is, without a doubt, the Aron - and the Aron's sanctity is underscored by the placement of the לוחות inside - but what are these לוחות? What is written on them? A careful read of the various passages concerning the לוחות - both the originals and the second set - reveal that much more than we typically assume was written there. In the shiur, we also discuss why the לוחות are called לוחות העדות - the "Tablets of Testimony" in ספר שמות, yet in ספר דברים they are called לוחות הברית - the "Tablets of the Covenant." Souce sheet >>

Parshat Ki Tisa with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - "The Sin of the Golden Calf" - How Could They Do It? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Appreciating the Gift of Shabbos #3 - Midrash - "Moshe's Face Radiated" - What Was the Source of HIs Light? #4 - Sparks of Chassidus & Mussar - The Essence of Teaching and the Key to Leading: Remarkable Insights from R. Gifter and the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Waiting in Between Meat and Milk

Tetzaveh | B'nei Yisrael's Presence in the Mishkan, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The first two pesukim in Parashat Tetzaveh - the last two in chapter 27 of Shemot - seem to be out of place and are repeated, nearly verbatim, in Vayikra 24. A reexamination of what is stated and what is NOT stated in this passage sheds light on the symbolism of the contribution of Bnei Yisrael to the light and the association with Maamad Har Sinai. Soucesheet >>

Parshat Tetzaveh + Purim with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Moshe's Missing Name: A Powerful Explanation from the Alshich #2 - Modern Commentators - Moshe Lives on Through All of Us: An Inspiring Teaching from the Kesav Sofer #3 - Midrash - The Symbolism of the Menorah: Learn Torah, Live Torah, and Share Torah #4 - Sparks of Mussar - "It's the Clothes that Make the Man": The Dual Focus of the Bigdei Kehunah #5 - SPECIAL FOR PURIM - Purim Seudah on Erev Shabbos - What's The Best Time?

Mordechai and Esther, by Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein What makes Purim a special yom tov and why is it a day of festivity and celebration? Why is Purim unique as opposed to other days of Jewish salvation? Why is the megilla called Megillat Esther and not Megillat Mordechai? A close examination of the Purim story within its historical context provides answers to these questions, by understanding Purim as a celebration of the renewal of the covenant between Israel and God.

Why Isn't It Almost Purim? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom A shiur in advance of Purim Katan.

Teruma | Mishpat and Mishkan, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The Divine commands concerning the construction of a Mishkan are curiously juxtaposed and intertwined with the corpus of Law broadly referred to as "Mishpatim." We explore that association by tracing the chronology of The Stand at Sinai and the unique nature of the Mishkan which was the focal point of the commands given atop the mountain - and thereby identify the core telos of the Mishkan and the vital spirit which will ensure Hashem's presence among the people.

Anger - Avoid at All Costs, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela Companion shiur to last week's installment on Anava.

Parshat Teruma with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Symbolism of Mishkan: What's The Deeper Message? #2 - Modern Commentators - Torah Study: For All People and for All Times #3 - Midrash - What is the Purpose of the Mishkan? #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - "It's the Thought that Counts" - A Profound Insight into Religious Observance from the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Tearing Kriyah at the Kotel #6 - Sparks of Musar - The Blessing and Challenge of Giving Charity: Insights from the Beis HaLevi and the Alter of Kelm

Anava: Balancing Ego and Self-Confidence Part 1, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Parshat Mishpatim with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Mysterious and Mystical End of Parshas Mishpatim #2 - Modern Commentators - Balancing Tradition and Innovation - A Beautiful Thought from R. Moshe Feinstein #3 - Midrash - What's So Special About Mishpatim? 3 Insights of the Midrash #4 - Sparks of Mussar - Appreciating Hashem's As a Loving Father - A Lesson Learned from the Jewish Slave #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Litigating in Secular Court: Why is It Assur and When is It Muttar? #6 - Sparks of Chasidus - Nezikin and the "Damage" We Do to Ourselves: An Incredible Teaching from the Nesivos Shalom

Mishpatim | Moshe's Encounters Read As Prologue, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Moshe's three encounters after his adoption into the palace are rife with internal difficulties; riding above all of that is the general question of what the text is trying to teach us by including these three incidents. A detailed and careful read of the text reveals numerous difficulties which perhaps point to a larger overall solution - which is proposed in this shiur. Source sheet >

Parshat Yitro with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Danger of Getting Too Close to the Mountain #2 - Contemporary Commentators - "Curious Yisro" and the Quest for Truth #3 - Midrash - The Midrashic Account of Matan Torah - 3 Powerful Messages #4 - Sparks of Mussar - Yisro - Learning the Lesson of Sustained Religious Growth #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The Essence of Kiddush #6 - Sparks of Chassidus - The Interplay Between Torah and Achdus: A Remarkable Insight from Rav Meir Shapiro

Yitro | What Inspired Yitro? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The opening passage of פרשת יתרו is full of riddles - why are we given detailed information about Moshe's sons, including the introduction of Eliezer with the reason given for his name? What caused Yitro's reevaluation of his theology, such that he was ready to declare that "I now know that Hashem is greater than all the gods"? Why do חז"ל discuss and dispute "what he heard that caused him to come" when the simplest explanation is that he came to reunite Moshe with his wife and sons? We discuss all of this, including an analysis of the dispute regarding the canonization of the book of Esther. Source sheet >>

Tefillah: Appreciating and Improving Our Davening Part 2, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Beshalach | From Marah to Masah, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The brief interlude at Marah, immediately following Shirat haYam, includes two challenging phrases - שם שם לו חק ומשפט and ושם נסהו. After surveying the classic commentaries - including the famous passage in the Mekhilta - explaining these phrases, we look further at the travels in the desert and propose a different perspective on the "test" that took place at Marah - and that impacted on the remainder of the desert journey. Source sheet >>

Tefillah: Appreciating and Improving Our Davening Part 1, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Parshat Beshalach with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Manna (מן): Blessing or Challenge? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Rav Kook's Approach to Kedushas Yisrael #3 - Midrash - The Special Role of Children in "Az Yashir": An Incredible Midrash #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Why Did the Jewish People Daven at the Yam Suf? A Profound (and Surprising) Insight from the Lubavitcher Rebbe #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The Who, What and Why and Lechem Mishneh #6 - Sparks of Musar - Appreciating the Importance of Showing Appreciation: An Incredible Insight from the Steipler

Parshat Bo with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - The Nature of Miracles and the Miracle of Nature #2 - Modern Commentators - The Source of the Jewish People's Wealth: The Incredible Interpretation of the Vilna Gaon #3 - Midrash - Moshe & Ahron: A Paragon of Mutual Respect and Brotherly Love #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - The Jewish Approach to Physicality: A Beautiful Teaching from the Tolna Rebbe #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Should You Wear Tefillin All Day? #6 - Sparks of Musar - Why Did We Have to Leave Egypt in Such a Rush? An Important Insight from the Alter of Kelm

Bo | "What Is This Service...To You?" Reevaluating the "Wicked Son's" Question, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The famous interaction between a son and his father (Shemot 12:25-26) is interpreted in the Midrash Halakhah (and, subsequently, in the Hagadah) as a hostile one, with the son's "question" viewed as a confrontational remark - even though the Rishonim who comment on the passage in context read it sympathetically, ignoring the supposed adversarial implication of the word לכם. We propose a broader look at the entire passage, from 12:1-27, suggesting a different parsing of the son's question and an interrogative reading of the key word לכם. Source sheet >>

Gender Differences in Halakha Part 2, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Contemporary Educational Challenges, a panel discussion with Harav Mosheh Lichtenstein, Rav Eli Weber and Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, held at the Melave Malka Nov 20, 2021, at Congregation Bnei Yeshurun, Teaneck, NJ. Joined by Rav Moshe Taragin. What has changed since these mechankhim began their careers? What is the greatest issue affecting chinuch today? What should be our policy on cellphone use? How do we educate about wokeness and new movements and theories?

Gender Differences in Halakha Part 1, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Parshat Vaera with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Did Hashem Really Take Away Pharaoh's Free Will? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - There's No "Retirement" from Religious Growth #3 - Midrash - Promise Made and Promise Kept - The Different Names of Hashem #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - Freedom from Slavery and a Slave Mentality - A Profound Insight from the Sefas Emes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The 4 Cups of Wine @ The Pesach Seder #6 - Sparks of Mussar - Mishkal HaChassidus and Seeing the "Bigger Picture" and Impact of Our Actions

Vaera | Brotherhood at Last, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The opening section of Parashat Vaera includes several seemingly tangential and/or redundant passages, including a re-assignment of Aharon as Moshe's "prophet" as well as the odd genealogical table of the Levites. By looking carefully at the step-by-step inauguration of Aharon into a leadership role, we identify the new information in each passage and the contextual relevance as well as necessity for the "tangents" - and then, looking back at Sefer Bereishit, propose an explanation of why it took brothers working hand in hand, side by side, to effect the redemption from slavery and delivery from Egypt. Source sheet >>

Parshat Shemot with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Moshe: What's in a Name? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - The Message Behind the Mystery: Why Must Moshe Stop and Remove His Shoes? #3 - Midrash - The Surprising Connection Between Gratitude and Faith #4 - Sparks of Musar - The Source of Moshe's Selection: The Powerful Insight of the Alter of Kelm #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Risking Your Life for the Jewish People #6 - Sparks of Chassidus - Life's a Journey: A Inspirational Message from R. Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev

Shemot | The Roots of Subjugation, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The opening chapter of Shemot details the oppression, mandated infanticide and overall enslavement of Bnei Yisrael under the thumb of Egyptian rule. After a brief introduction in which we discuss the nature and causality and its inherent multi-layered reality, we observe several linguistic nuances in this opening chapter which seem to point to a connection between these horrors and the narratives of Yoseph as a brother as well as Yoseph as an Egyptian viceroy. The literary structure of the passage (1:15-22) is then presented, as an argument towards seeing an overt as well as covert cause behind the servitude and related decrees. Source sheet >>

Vayechi | Menasheh and Ephraim: More Than Just a Hand-Switch, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom. The description of Yaakov's deathbed blessing of Yosef/Ephraim-Menasheh is riddled with difficulties. Why does Yaakov mention God's blessing at Beit-El? Why does he bring up Rachel's sudden death and burial on the road? Why doesn't Yaakov recognize his grandsons - whom he had just "upgraded" to "sons" by name? Above all - what's behind that change of status, and the hand-switch that prefers Ephraim? We explore all of these in a special shiur given in memory of Rav Etshalom's mother, MIriam bat Yitzhak veRivkah z"l, whose yahrzeit is on 9 Tevet. יהי זכרה ברוך Shiur given at SCY HIGH in San Diego on Wednesday Dec 16. Source sheet >>

Parshat Vayechi with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Why Was Rachel Not Buried in Me'arat Ha-Machpela? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - The True Meaning of Achdus: A Remarkable Teaching from Rav Lichtenstein #3 - Midrash - Why Did Yaakov Not Want to Be Buried in Egypt? #4 - Sparks of Musar - The Greatest Blessing: Understanding Who Our Children REALLY Are #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Can Women Recite Kaddish

Special sicha with Rav Aharon Lopiansky, a dvar Torah for Parashat Vayechi as well as a Question & Answer session with the Overseas Talmidim. Dec 13, 2021. Rabbi Lopiansky is the Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington. Rav Lopiansky has written a number of seforim in both Hebrew and English as well as a Siddur mefurash. We thank him for taking the time to address our students.

Vayigash | Of Farmers and Ranchers, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In the Egyptian narratives, there are several references to תועבת מצרים For Egyptians to break bread with Hebrews is considered an "abomination", as well as the status of shepherds - and the sheep themselves are called that by Moshe. What is the "abomination" here and what is behind it? We survey the approaches of the Rishonim and, building on the proposals of ibn Ezra and Radak, propose a novel explanation.

Miketz | Dreams and Interpretations, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom An inquiry into the development of Yosef's dreams. There are three dream-sets in the Yosef narrative; two that he dreams, two that he interprets while in prison and the two dreams of Pharaoh. While we assume that Yosef's awareness of the meaning of his dreams was a constant, it is possible that each dream-experience enhanced his art as a dream-interpreter. We explore this approach, noting that his full acceptance of the responsibility of his own two dreams only takes place after all three dream-sets. Source sheet >>

Parashat Vayeshev with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentaries - Who Sold Yosef? It's Not As Simple As You Might Think #2 - Contemporary Commentaries - What Can We Learn from Esav's Children? An Amazing Teaching from the Oznayim Le'Torah #3 - Sparks of Chassidus - Being True To Yourself - A Beautiful Teaching from the Sefas Emes #4 - Sparks of Musar - The Hardest Thing in Life: Admitting Mistakes #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - The Prohibition to Embarrass Another Person

Vayeshev | Yosef's Dreams by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Yosef's Dreams begin the narrative cycle we refer to as "the Yosef Story" - and these dreams impact through his life and career. What are we to make of these dreams? Are they prophetic (as he seems to believe) or are they psychologically propelled (as his brothers and, perhaps, father apparently think)? What are the "stars" as opposed to the "sheaves"? And what are we to make of the sun and moon and their obeisance to Yosef? Source sheet >>

Vayishlach | Revisiting Shkhem, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom The "rape of Dina" and the bloody aftermath, which comprise all of chapter 34 and the middle of Parashat Vayishlach, is replete with difficulties which make the conventional understanding of Dina's rape and abduction and of Yaakov's silence as well as his response to Shimon and Levi difficult to explain. By analyzing the terms used to describe the encounter between Shkhem and Dina, we propose a novel understanding of the events, of Yaakov's broader plan in moving to Shalem, east of Shkhem and of the meaning behind Yaakov's dying words to Shimon and Levi. Source sheet >>

The Inner Beauty of Chanukah, shiur by Rav Dovid Gottlieb, part 1 of a 2-part series on Chanukah, given to the weekly women's group in Kehilat Ha'Ela

Parashat Vayishlach with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentaries - Shimon and Levi Slaughter Shechem: Righteous Justice or Unethical Vengeance? #2 - Contemporary Commentaries - The Greatness of Yaakov: Rav Kook's Fascinating Interpretation #3 - Sparks of Chassidus - Yaakov and the True Source of Humility: The Incredible Insight of the Sefas Emes #4 - Sparks of Musar - Harnessing the Potent Power of Prayer #5 - Midrash - Who Was Yaakov Fighting and Why Were They Fighting? A Midrashic Interpretation

Vayishlach: ויאבק איש עמו - The Mysterious Wrestling Match, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom Yaakov's encounter with the mysterious "man" which lasts until dawn, is "a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, folded into a conundrum" - we survey four of the classic Rishonim with their widely divergent takes on this momentous episode and discuss the vantage points from which they started and which led to each unique and illuminating interpretation. Source sheet >>

Empathy: Learning About Ourselves By Connecting With Others, the second of a 2-part series on Mitzvot and Middot Bein Adam LeChaveiro, given as part of the weekly women's shiur in Kehilat Ha'Ela, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Parashat Vayetze with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Did Yaakov Really Place a Condition on His Commitment to Hashem? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Torah Study as the Foundation of our Professional Lives #3 - Sparks of Musar - Yaakov's Dream and The Limitless Capacity for Human Greatness #4 - Midrash - Appreciating Greatness

Chesed - The Gift of Giving, the first of a 2-part series on Mitzvot and Middot Bein Adam LeChaveiro, given as part of the weekly women's shiur in Kehilat Ha'Ela, by Rav Dovid Gottlieb

Vayetze | The "Duda'im" Story: A Janus Narrative? by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom In the midst of the "birth narrative" of Yaakov's family in Haran, the Torah interjects a brief story about Reuven's collecting דודאים (mandrakes) and bringing them to Leah, his mother. Rachel desires them and agrees to give up her night of intimacy with Yaakov in order to get these valuable (?) flowers. The narrative is odd on the face of it, and there are several textual nuances that catch our attention - and redirect that attention back to an earlier narrative in Yaakov's life in which he plays an active role - and a later event in Rachel's life which proves to be fateful for her and for the family. The brief story of the דודאים reflects back and forward, providing added insight into two other narratives in the story of Yaakov's family. Source sheet >>

Parashat Toldot with Rav Dovid Gottlieb #1 - Classical Commentators - Why Did Yitzchok Want to Bless Esav and not Yaakov? #2 - Contemporary Commentators - Yaakov's Moral Dilemma #3 - Sparks of Musar - How We Spend Our "Free Time" Defines Us #4 - Sparks of Chassidus - The Greatest Gift is a Relationship With Hashem #5 - Halacha from the Parsha - Is a Blind Person Obligated in Mitzvos?